We've been wondering when we'd see the next
Laptop Hunters ad from Microsoft, but it looks like the company's throwing a change-up: its latest 30-second spot features Wes Moss, Certified Financial Planner, explaining that iTunes "costs a lot" while Zune Pass "costs a little." The argument, of course, is that at a buck a song (or
more), filling up your iPod costs way more than the $15 / month cost of the Zune subscription service, but we've got a feeling that Wes just won't convince as many people as Lauren and Giampaulo -- while we certainly think Zune Pass is a great deal, especially with the
10 free tracks a month now included, most people have plenty of music from all kinds of sources already, and an additional monthly bill in the current economy doesn't seem all too appealing. Plus, well, this argument has never really worked for services like Yahoo and Rhapsody in the past, so we're not sure it's going to work now. But that's just us -- we're sure you've got your own opinions, so check out the vid after the break and sound off.
P.S. If Wes looks familiar it's because
he was a contestant on Donald Trump's The Apprentice. He was fired.
[Via
Ars Technica; thanks Travis and
Michael S.]
posted May 11th 2009 at 6:58PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
jaydee @ May 11th 2009 7:03PM
MSFT stocks appreciate
Frankfurter @ May 11th 2009 9:02PM
What's this 'Zune' you speak of?
captainpease @ May 11th 2009 9:03PM
I've gotta admit, even as an Apple fan, this commercial is persuasive. We all want the subscription model. I just don't know how they expect to pull it off. Do they have agreements from all the labels or is this a lawsuit waiting to happen?
WS @ May 11th 2009 9:04PM
Who cares. Who buys a product based on a commercial? Yeah, I'm gonna drop $1,200 on a notebook because Microsoft says PCs are cheap and Apples are expensive. Or $150 on a Zune because some guy says it costs a little, while an iPod costs a lot!
Come on already... it's just a freakin' commercial! Gimme a break with all these Fanboys turning it into a big deal. ZOMG, Apple's gonna lost shares because Microsoft says their expensive... puuulease.
inteller @ May 11th 2009 9:06PM
When the ZuneHD comes with HuLu and Netflix streaming bundled into the ZUne Pass, people will be whipping out their credit cards to sign up for a pass faster than it takes an iPod to become obsolete.
the real Brad @ May 11th 2009 9:42PM
@WS: Says someone who is talking about laptops that cost around two thousand dollars. I'm not exactly a Windows fan, but for the actual system, you get more bang for your buck when you go Windows. I was thinking about switching to Mac but then Windows 7 came around the corner.
bondsbw @ May 11th 2009 9:45PM
Not persuasive, for me anyway.
I've paid an average of maybe $2 a month on iTunes music and Amazon music in the past year. I'm not a heavy music downloader... most of my stuff comes from CDs. I can play all my music anywhere I want, and I don't have to pay $1800 to keep it for the next 10 years (I would pay $240). And that's assuming that the music store is even around 10 years from now.
There's no doubt that some out there would benefit more from subscription plans. But those people would have to download MUCH more than the equivalent 18 albums per year on iTunes to be worth it... they are losing rights to play on any device, and right to play it after the subscription runs out.
Phineas J. Whoopie @ May 11th 2009 9:53PM
@scarse3 DRM-laced tracks "rule the industry"???
Why wouldn't you buy 256kb MP3s from Amazon and own them forever, sans the 5 computer, iTunes rule?
Cris T @ May 11th 2009 10:15PM
@Phineas J. Whoopie
iTunes doesn't have any DRM songs anymore they are all 100% DRM FREE!! You can also keep them forever and put them on 1,000,000,000 computers if you wanted to!
WS @ May 11th 2009 11:00PM
@the real Brad
I'm not talking about Apple. Or Windows. Or any product for that matter. I'm talking about being a smart consumer.
Did you reach the conclusion that Windows gives you more "bang for your buck" via the advertisements slinging mud at the competition (et tu Apple)? Or did you browse the independent notebook dealers and see their configuration, finally settling on a machine that gave you what you wanted?
All I'm saying is these ads are just ads. No serious person is going to buy something because the company tells you its this or that... I mean come on. I wouldn't buy a Mac because Justin Long says Time Machine can back up all my stuff, or that iLife can manage my photos...
霽月瀛台 @ May 11th 2009 11:02PM
It is even more expensive to fill in a hard drive.
So, do I need to dump my computer?
I pay $10 on apple store and can have as much as 10 songs for pleasure, but I pay more than $100 to buy a Windows and suffer bugs.
M$ becomes extremely stupid when they found it is technically hopeless on fighting iTunes back!
haX0r @ May 11th 2009 11:03PM
"Cris T @ May 11th 2009 10:15PM
iTunes doesn't have any DRM songs anymore they are all 100% DRM FREE!! You can also keep them forever and put them on 1,000,000,000 computers if you wanted to!"
So are BitTorrents!
konshuss @ May 11th 2009 11:25PM
Hey look, a rival company has its own business model and is entering the market.
Competition, people. It's good for you.
reuben @ May 12th 2009 2:02AM
...ummmm, my AAPL closed green and your MSFT went red red red today
Meridimus @ May 12th 2009 3:02AM
Let's be honest, music has never been cheap unless you're ripping someone off. In the case of subscription, who loses?
A. Is it Microsoft?
B. The record companies?
C. The Musician?
And also, who here iPod with iTunes purchased music only? Nobody. Here, have a phantom $30k.
JZ @ May 12th 2009 3:22AM
Ehr.. your AAPL is only worth 116 Billion while MSFT is 172 Billion worth. You do the math even while a few days minus may hurt some stock holders it doesn´t mean much in the long run. Heck MS is in so many markets it´s almost impossible to compare MS to Apple even since Apple limits itself only to building a few computers and software. You could even say if you look at the assets and valuying of MSFT vs AAPL that MS is a much safer bet since they have a whole lot more assets while Apple heavily relies on their future products to be another design hit. I´m more curious then as well if Apple gets some actual competition design-wise what will happen to it. Apple isn´t the innovative company it used to be, on all sides other companies are trying to match Apples marketing and sooner or later there will be a new kid on the block. My money is regarding that on Artlebedev if they only managed to get their productline going ...
Further I don´t get why people bitch, its a simple fact that if you want to fill your ipod legally it will cost you a fortune while the zune with their unlimited account option gets you a fixed price. I find it rather smart since like many state here most won´t spend that much money but new users might be pursuaded into this zune thing.
gus @ May 12th 2009 9:00AM
I think it's funny that the Zune hasn't even been released here in Australia yet. How does Microsoft expect to win more market share when their not even competing in high volume markets? (Granted, a population of ~20 million may not be much compared to other counties).
Now I've been pretty hard for Apple since making the switch to a mac about 8 months ago but when it came to upgrading my mp3 player 2 months ago I was seriously considering a Zune up until I found out it's not mac compatible and it's not even available in my country.
I didn't even really have an option since I was looking for a mp3 player with greater than 80GB. And now MS is going to be tentative in the "media/smart phone" market while Apple and Palm (once the Pre is released) take more and more market share away from them. And now you've got Android in the wild, which gives their handset partners like Samsung and HTC another option in OS, and I'd say it's about time MS got serious about they're competition in the handheld market place.
I really want MS to be a strong competitor, I really do, but when they're playing they're own game rather than the one driven by consumers then I think they're just not going to do as well as some of the others out there.
霽月瀛台 @ May 12th 2009 4:12AM
Engadget is a funny place.
when you say M$ is bad, you will be ranked low.
Is Microsoft having a hand there to rank people low?
Or, just some people there are too emotional on MS?
funny, seems MS is a father of yours.
Mark Anderson @ May 12th 2009 7:33AM
@Chinese character guy
Two points:
1) Your original post was downranked because it was a load of crap.
2) If you use M$, CrApple or Linsux as references you're a tool.
Ethan @ May 12th 2009 8:26AM
I don't want the subscription model. The majors are the ones negotiating the deals, and therefore the ones who'll get the money from it, I want to give my money to labels who actually distribute music I like.
Dave @ May 12th 2009 8:58AM
He forgot to mention that this happens only to people that pay for this anyway... what about those who DL the music from the torrents?
Name @ May 12th 2009 9:10AM
Legally and logically this commercial makes a really good point. 5 internets to MS.
Kit @ May 12th 2009 9:24AM
@Jimmy
I understand your opinion towards the services, but the good thing about Zune Pass is you get to keep up to 10 tracks per month. (Most of them DRM free, and they announced it before Apple did)
Therefore in the long run, Zune Pass would be still way cheaper than buying music off iTunes store.
I also personally believe that Microsoft is commited to the Zune project since Zune Marketplace maybe combine with Xbox Live Marketplace in the future.
Better still, even Microsoft decided to end the subscription 3 years later you would still have 360 tracks for $540 (avaraging $1.5 per track v.s. iTunes $0.49 / 0.99 / 1.49
Kit @ May 12th 2009 9:26AM
Stupid comment system...
@Jimmy
I understand your opinion towards the services, but the good thing about Zune Pass is you get to keep up to 10 tracks per month. (Most of them DRM free, and they announced it before Apple did)
Therefore in the long run, Zune Pass would be still way cheaper than buying music off iTunes store.
I also personally believe that Microsoft is commited to the Zune project since Zune Marketplace maybe combine with Xbox Live Marketplace in the future.
Better still, even Microsoft decided to end the subscription 3 years later you would still have 360 tracks for $540 (avaraging $1.5 per track v.s. iTunes $0.49 / 0.99 / 1.49
Kit @ May 12th 2009 9:28AM
Sorry it keeps shrinking my peni....
@Jimmy
Also, I can recall a mate out here had a link to a survey which said "1 CD = 12 Tracks = $15+" v.s. 10 Track you love = $15 with unlimited DRMed music.
I guess not many people out there would be as cool as you had a chance to be DJ, and that's way it makes sense to most of the people out there : ) + you get the latest tracks instead of those from your college days.
Kit @ May 12th 2009 9:34AM
sorry to all of you comment readers out there, post above is intended to reply jimmy in the next post...
Why you engadget guys can't put reply blow every comment....
Your comment system is driving me crazy.
Dylan @ May 12th 2009 10:49AM
@scarse3
Dude, you are SO stupid, haha.
You are the most arrogant, ignorant, annoying piece of trash posting on Engadget.
Your posts are so ridiculously biased, it's managed to make me laugh as I'm typing this.
You use AT&T
You use Nikon
You use Apple products.
You use Bose.
And you slander on EVERYTHING else.
Just because you don't like anything that comes out that might be better than what you have because you're just a stupid consumer who spends their money in the wrong place and then is bitter about it.
First off:
Apple does not own the music industry.
At ALL.
Record labels do. And you claim you're a musician? You're awfully stupid to say so. It's more than obvious you know very little about the industry, and how it works.
I'm 17, I've actually toured, I'm in a great band and we're working with labels right now.
You say that Bose is the best sound system company ever?
If that were the case, and if you knew a damn thing about consumerism, you'd know that we'd all be fucked if that were even remotely true.
It's a matter of personal preference. Saying that Bose is the best is like saying your ears are better than everyone else's.
And Denon has been around longer and made much more money making super-high range audio equipment.
And IMO, it's much better than Bose.
You stuck-up little brat, get over the fact that you know SO little about technology and any industrial complex of companies and music that you've managed to make yourself look like a douche-bag.
______________
And as for the ad that Microsoft is putting out... while I don't personally get my music from any stores(torrents), this is pretty persuasive to anyone who does. I mean, it's undeniable that this would be the right choice for anyone who buys their music traditionally from an online store. Even Amazon barely rivals such a nice deal by Microsoft. Microsoft has made some good choices recently. The 360 was a resounding success, Windows 7 is looking great, the Zune 2 was brilliant(whether the Apple fanboys think so or not, it is a great device), and now their ad campaigns are doing excruciatingly well for themselves. They make SENSE nowadays! Yay company competition for the consumers!!! Lower prices, please?
cake @ May 12th 2009 12:49PM
@Dylan
He's probably a troll, nobody can be that dumb. And if he is, well instead of being irritated you should feel pity for the inferior being.
jguilb @ May 12th 2009 1:46PM
at a rate of 10 songs per month, it would take 250 years to fill up the Zune with Zune Pass songs you can keep. Assuming you could somehow live this long, it would cost you $44,000 USD in today's money.
It would take approximately 166 years to pay $33,000 USD going the Zune Pass road.
Ordeith @ May 12th 2009 3:11PM
jguilb:
Or the other way to look at it:
You download 8GB of ZunePass subscription songs in the first month and never download anything ever again.
Let's Assume 1000 songs. If you continue to pay $15/month for ZunePass for the initial 8GB it would take you 5½ years before it even started coming close to what those 1000 songs would have cose in iTunes.
And nothing is stopping you from downloading another 8GB each of those 66 months.
Guest @ May 15th 2009 10:31PM
First of all, I agree, Zunes are selling very slowly compared to iPods on the basis that no one's heard of them, they're really hard to use, and they're not the "cool" thing to have. But this will never change. No one wants to move all of their songs from iTunes to Zune Marketplace. And for those who think the Zune HD and ZunePass will cause the iPod to become obsolete, think again. Apple has always, and will most likely, led the way in terms of technology that people will buy because it works (mostly). There will always be millions of iFans panting at their computer watching Jobs (well I guess it's Schiller now) pull the wraps off the latest shiny iGadget. Like it or not, the Zune will never be a threat to the iPod.
Alan Strangis @ May 22nd 2009 3:51PM
Would have been better if they explained that the Zune Pass also includes 10 songs a month to keep (the vast majority available as DRM free MP3 now).
I couldn't really care, because I'm an old fart who's major music buying days are behind meod hook for people who don't have their major music buying days behind them.
As for the record companies, well they can go suck it. If they had 100 million monthly subscribers, the record industry would be grossing $18 billion a year, which is more than what they made in 2000.
PS: for those bringing up bit torrent, I hear ya, but it's not the kind of argument you're gonna see in an ad, so it's kind of irrelevant.
Trevor @ May 11th 2009 7:03PM
A lot of people have these things called CD collections. I know, it's amazing, but get this: CDs have music on them and you can even take the music off of them and put them on your iPod. I know, crazy right!? What will they think of next?
Epsilon-Not @ May 11th 2009 7:03PM
Even better, I've heard of this thing called "BitTorrent"...
Er, of course, not that I would know anything about that, you know.
Isaac @ May 11th 2009 7:15PM
@Epsilon-Not
These commercials are not aimed at a tech savvy audience. They are aimed at the masses who don't know how to use bit torrent (some of whom don't know how to even rip CDs).
The target audience of these commercials, I would assume, respond pretty well to them.
David @ May 11th 2009 7:17PM
Also who plans on actually FILLING it completely? I used a pretty big chunk of space for data storage. Pictures and files I wanted a backup of.
Quantumphysics @ May 11th 2009 7:17PM
UM...I just download my illegal MP3's and Porn videos from Limewire and store them on a portable HDD. If the FEDS ever come for me, they'll have a bitch of a time figuring out where my drive is stored. You can get a warrant for my house, but not my neighbor's suckas!!!.
PCIV @ May 11th 2009 7:21PM
You don't have to be tech savvy to use Limewire...
gib @ May 11th 2009 7:27PM
@ Quantumphysics
People still use Limewire?
John @ May 11th 2009 7:40PM
My order of download goes something like this
Torrentzcom - Demonoid - Whatcd - Shakespeer - Beatport - Amazon - iTunesPlus
Yay for no DRM!
grull27 @ May 11th 2009 7:53PM
@ Quantumphysics
You said they'll have trouble finding where your drive is store and then you just admitted that it's in your neighbor's house. wtf
n3rd @ May 11th 2009 7:57PM
only idiots use limewire
Skorpius @ May 11th 2009 8:04PM
CDs+Lossless=WIN.
Nogami @ May 11th 2009 8:31PM
So with their subscription service I can pay $15/month and download everything I want, and when I'm done I can cancel my subscription and just keep listening to all of the music I downloaded? Sweet!
Or.... does it cut me off and then I have absolutely nothing to show for my money...? Not sweet....
Trent @ May 11th 2009 8:34PM
And the greedy RIAA mainly supported by people like that witch Pelosi support banning the ripping of CDs to be allowed to be played on mp3s. I am sorry but anyone paying a buck or now more per song is being ripped off. While I love my 3G nano and white iPhone, Apple will never get a buck out of me. I'd rather buy a used CD and rip it MY WAY. I use emusic here for 25 cents a song.
bjsguess @ May 11th 2009 8:41PM
Nogami ...
You get 10 free songs every month to own forever with your $15/month. At $1.29/song that means you basically pay $2/month for unlimited access to the Marketplace while you have your subscription running.
gs @ May 11th 2009 8:53PM
@David
You use your ipod for data storage? My iPod cannot work as a mass storage device. Apple disabled that feature.
josephwilson47 @ May 11th 2009 9:46PM
how bout movies????
David @ May 11th 2009 9:56PM
I have the 60gig video one.. 5th gen I think?
LAGal @ May 11th 2009 10:58PM
yep. and frankly I'd rather play for what I want and get to keep it all forever and ever. the only thing that the zune pass might have on itunes is getting to hear the entire song before buying and not just 30 seconds. but most of the time I'm buying stuff I heard on the radio or on a tv show so that's not really that major a deal.